The City of Sofia Share: Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000. Sofia is located in the western part of the country, on The Sofia Plain and on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha. The city’s average altitude is 550 meters above sea level, the climate is moderate and continental, characterized by cold winters and relatively cool summers. The average temperature in January is 1 degree below zero Centigrade, and the average July temperature is 20 degrees Centigrade. The city is located at a strategic crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East and The Middle East, lying between the banks of The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.

Sofia is relatively close to the capitals of most Balkan countries: Ankara is 1,012 km; Athens is 837 km; Beograd is 374 km; Bucharest is 395 km; Zagreb is 762 km; Ljubljana is 897 km; Sarajevo is 549 km; Skopje is 239 km; Tirana is 553 km. Three freeways begin in Sofia: Trakia, Lyulin, and Hemus. The Sofia Airport provides travelers with convenient connections to all major European cities, and from the central train station and bus station passengers can reach every destination in the country. Sofia has been settled for many millennia. In honor of its hot springs, in the 8th century BCE the Thracian tribes settled here gave the city its first name – Serdika or Serdonpolis.In the 1st century BCE, Serdika was captured by the Romans, who transformed it into a Roman city.

During the reign of Emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan (reign 98-117 CE), the city took his name, Ulpia Serdika, and became the administrative center of the region. Serdika was the favorite city of Constantine the Great (reign 306-337), who said “Serdika is my Rome.” In roughly 175, massive fortified walls, with four watchtowers were built to protect the city , and a second outer fortified wall was added during the 5th-6th centuries. The city’s flourished for a second time under Justinian the Great (reign 527-565). At the beginning of the 9th century, the Bulgarian Han Krum (reign 803-814) invaded Serdika. The city became an inseparable part of The First Bulgarian Empire (7th-9th centuries) under Han Omurtag (reign 814-831). At this time the city was renamed Sredets (The Center), because of its central strategic location.

From 1018-1094, Sredets was under Byzantine rule, but still remained an important strategic, economic, and cultural center. During the time of The Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1393), Sredets took on the appearance of a large Medieval city – its narrow, crowded streets witnessed the construction of more and more small churches and monasteries, which later became Sofia’s Holy Mountain. The city gained its present name at the end of the 14th century, in honor of the city’s major symbol, The Saint Sofia Basilica. In 1382, the city fell to the Ottomans. It was liberated five centuries later, in 1878, and on April 3, 1879 it was declared the capital of the newly-liberated Bulgarian nation. Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the city’s streets can see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika and Sredets, dating from the 2nd-4th centuries CE.

These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs and rosewater. The Saint Sofia Basilica, founded during the reign of Justinian (reign 527-565), is one of the oldest churches in the capital. It was the city’s major church during the Middle Ages, and under the Ottomans it was used as a mosque. Very close to Saint Sofia is The Memorial Church Saint Alexander Nevsky, now one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. This church was built in 1912, and was designed by the Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Its bell tower rises to a height of 53 meters, and houses 53 bells, the heaviest weighing 10 tons. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sofia, the church can hold roughly 5,000 people, and on important Christian holidays it is filled with believers. In the church’s crypt, there is an exhibit of Orthodox Christian art. Directly across from the church is The National Gallery of Art, which often exhibits works by world-famous artists. The oldest church in Sofia is the Saint George Rotunda.

It is thought that the church was built in the 6th century, during the reign of Constantine the Great. In the rotunda’s immediate proximity, in the underpass leading to the Serdika metro station, is The Saint. Petka Samardzhiyska Church, built in the 11th century. Another Christian monument in the region is the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral. While walking in the area, visitors will also see the Banya Bashi Mosque, built in the 16th century. Not far from the mosque is a synagogue, which houses a museum. There is hardly another city in all of Europe that has so many noteworthy Christian, Islamic, and Jewish monuments so close together. In the immediate vicinity, other historical remains are preserved, such as the municipal baths, the marketplace, and The Holy Sunday Church. Adjacent to this church is the Theological Seminary, which houses The National Historical and Archeological Museum. Other points of interest in the city include The Lion Bridge, The Eagle Bridge, The Russian Monument, and the monument to Vasil Levski (a Bulgarian revolutionary hero who gave has life in the struggle to free Bulgaria from the Ottomans in the 19th century).

In the midst of the city’s religious landmarks, directly across from The Presidential Palace, is The National Archeological Museum, which has in its collection some of the most valuable treasures discovered in Bulgaria. Masterpieces of Bulgarian painting are on display at The National Art Gallery, located in what was formerly the Bulgarian Royal Palace. The National Museum of Ethnography is also located here, and The Museum of Natural History is a very short distance away, with exhibits of plants and animals that are very valuable, and even some that can no longer be seen in the wild. Right in front of this museum if The Saint Nikolai Church, which is an architectural landmark. The Parliament Building, Monument to the Liberator (in honor of the Russian Tsar Alexander II, who was instrumental in freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman rule), and the campus of Sofia University “Saint Kliment Ohradski” are three more of the city’s major symbols. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia is The Ivan Vazov National Theater. On the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, in the Boyana District, is located The National Museum of History, with its collection from prehistoric times to the present day.

The museum has one of the largest collections anywhere, with over 700,000 items of cultural importance. Close to the museum is The Boyana Church, one of the Bulgarian monuments that is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are many more capitals in the city, such as The Polytechnical Museum, The Museum of Anthropology, and The Sports Museum. Since it is the nation’s capital, Sofia constantly plays host to important cultural and musical events, conferences, and sports competitions. The National Palace of Culture, the city’s football stadiums, and the city’s large halls are venues for concerts and performances by famous individuals and groups. During the months of May and June, The Palace of Culture will welcome performers participating in the festival “Sofia Music Weeks.” The capital’s many theaters and galleries offer a wide range of interesting exhibits and shows. The city is a preferred destination for international congresses, and there are a great many halls and centers offering possibilites for every need. For example, one of the city’s most popular venues for business forums and trade fairs is The National Palace of Culture.

Sofia is also home to Bulgaria’s most prestigious and larges educational institutions – universities, colleges, and middle schools that offer solidly-grounded, up-to-date instruction in such disciplines as Architecture, Medicine, The Humanities, Engineering, Music and Choreography, and Fine Arts. Near Sofia, in the Vitosha, Lozen, and Stara Planina (Central Balkan) Mountains, over the centuries so many monasteries have been founded that they came to be known as Sofia’s Holy Mountains. They can be considered as a single complex, and played an important role in preserving the Bulgarian spiritual heritage during the centuries of Ottoman occupation. Still standing are The Dragalevski, Lozen, Germanski, Kremikovski, Cherepishki, and Osenovlashki Monasteries, among others. Opportunities for sport and recreation in the capital are many and varied – outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, modern gymnasiums and sports halls, and parks. The city’s stadiums draw thousands of fans for matches between major football teams. Sofia’s parks are a favorite place for rest and recreation.

Borisov Park is right in the center of the city, and South Park is next to the National Palace of Culture. There are two golf courses within an hour’s drive of the city, in the city of Ihtiman and the village of Ravno Polye, both offering excellent facilities to play and practice this sport that is becoming more and more popular in Bulgaria. During the winter, the ski resort on Mount Vitosha is a favorite with skiers and snowboarders alike, and during the summer it is a favorite place for hikers and picnickers. Mount Vitosha borders on The Vitosha Natural Park, which is the oldest nature reserve on the Balkan Peninsula. The species of flora in the park are particularly rich and varied. Ten of the peaks in the Vitosha Range are over 2,000 meters; the highest is Cherni Vrah (Black Peak), in the center of the park, at 2,290 meters. Since Mount Vitosha is a preferred destination for the capital’s residents, its fields and paths are alive with nature lovers.

For more information about the park, please contact the Vitosha Nature Preservation Information Center, located roughly 1 km from the Dragolevtsi Quarter, close to the Dragolevtsi Monastery. There are two ski centers on Mount Vitosha to accommodate visitors to this very popular sports destination. They are Aleko and Konyarnika. Aleko is at an altitude of 1,800 meters, and its slopes face north. It also has facilities for night skiing. The Konyarnika Center is 1,507 meters high. There are a total of 29 km of ski runs on Vitosha, and the longest is 5 km. The maximum vertical dro is 780 meters. The slopes are suitable for both experienced skiers beginners. The Sofia Zoological Garden in the southern part of the city is the country’s larges zoo. It is a favorite place for a day’s outing for young and old alike. Sofia offers many places for its children to play. The parks are equipped with safe, modern, playground equipment, and there are both children’s playgrounds and indoor recreational facilities for children. Like every big city, Sofia has something for every taste.

There are a great many luxury hotels, including those that are part of international hotel chains. There is also a wide variety of hostels and smaller family guesthouses. There are a multitude of discotheques, restaurants, bars, piano bars, folk clubs, taverns, soda fountains, fast food outlets and many other kinds of entertainment. Sofia and the immediate vicinity also boast a great many spa complexes. The hot springs at Bankya, a nearby resort offer wonderful facilities for rest, recreation, and wellness. There are ten spa centers within the capital’s city limits offering peace and relaxation, along with therapeutic and beauty treatments. One of Sofia’s favorite spots for both visitors and residents is Vitosha Boulevard. Here thee are shops carrying world-famous brands, and since it s a pedestrian zone, it a very pleasant place for strolling and relaxation. In general, the capital is a shoppers delight, since Sofia is still one of the major crossroads on the Balkan Peninsula for trade of all kinds The city’s annual celebration is observed on September 17, in honor of the martyrdom of Saint Sofia and her three daughters Vyara (Faith), Nadezhda (Hope), and Lyubov (Love).

We invest in your future Project “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria” The project is implemented with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The project is financed as per Grant Scheme BG 161PO001/3.3-01/2008. Support for effective national marketing of the tourist product and improvement of the information service. The contents of this page is created within the framework of the project entitled “Multimedia Catalogue of Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 /001-5, which is performed with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development” 2007 – 2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

The entire responsibility for the contents of the page is brought by the beneficiary – The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and under no circumstances it can be considered that this page presents the official position of the European Union and the Managing Body. Capital of Bulgaria | Article about Capital of Bulgaria by The Free Dictionary Capital of Bulgaria | Article about Capital of Bulgaria by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Sofia (sōfē`ə, sō`fēə), Bulg. Sofiya, city (1993 pop. 1,114,476), capital of Bulgaria, W central Bulgaria, on a high plain surrounded by the Balkan Mts. It is Bulgaria's chief industrial, transportation, and commercial center. Among the chief manufactures are engineering and metal products, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and leather goods, furniture, footwear, and chemicals. A Thracian settlement once occupied the site of Sofia. It was taken by the Romans in A.D. 29 and flourished, especially, under the Emperor Trajan, as Sardica (or Serdica).

Destroyed by the Huns in 447, the city was rebuilt (6th cent.) by Byzantine emperor Justinian I and renamed Triaditsa by the Byzantines. It formed part of the first Bulgarian kingdom (809–1018), reverted to the Byzantines (1018–1186), and was included in the second Bulgarian kingdom (1186–1382). Known as Sredets under the Bulgars, it was renamed Sofia or Sophya in 1376. Sofia passed to the Ottomans in 1382 and became the residence of the Turkish governors of Rumelia Rumelia or Roumelia , region of S Bulgaria, between the Balkan and Rhodope mts. Historically, Rumelia denoted the Balkan possessions (particularly Thrace and Macedonia, and excluding Bosnia) of the Ottoman Empire. ..... Click the link for more information. . Taken by the Russians in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, it became (1879) the capital of newly independent Bulgaria. During World War II the Russians captured Sofia from the Germans (1944).

The city has a university (founded 1889) and numerous other educational and cultural facilities. It is the see of an Eastern Orthodox metropolitan and of a Roman Catholic bishop and also retains many old churches, mosques, and synagogues. Landmarks include the parliament building, the state opera house, the former royal palace, the Church of St. George (4th–5th cent.), the Church of St. Sofia (6th–7th cent.), the Banya Bashi mosque (1474), and the Alexander Nevski Cathedral. SOFIA: see infrared astronomy infrared astronomy, study of celestial objects by means of the infrared radiation they emit, in the wavelength range from about 1 micrometer to about 1 millimeter. All objects, from trees and buildings on the earth to distant galaxies, emit infrared (IR) radiation. ..... Click the link for more information. . SOFIA (sof -ee-ă) Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, a 2.5-meter telescope in a high-flying Boeing 747 aircraft.

Scheduled to succeed the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), which ceased operation in 1996, the telescope was installed in its aircraft in 2002 and was used to view the stars for the first time in Sept. 2004. The largest airborne observatory in the world, it is one of the missions included in NASA's long-term Origins Program. It is scheduled to enter regular service in 2005. Sofia the capital, major city, and chief economic and cultural center of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Sofia is conveniently located on routes that since ancient times have followed the valleys and connected Western and Central Europe with the Middle East. The city is situated at an elevation of 530–650 m, on the southern border of the Sofia Basin, at the foot of the Vitosh mountain massif. The highest peak of the Balkan Peninsula, Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains, is located 60 km south of Sofia. The northern edge of the basin is occupied by the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), the east by the spurs of the Sredna Gora, and the west by the Liulin Mountains.

The Isker River flows along the eastern edge of the city; the Isker Reservoir, on the upper Isker, is Sofia’s main water source. Sofia has a temperate continental climate, with a mean January temperature of 2°C and a mean July temperature of 20°C. Annual precipitation is 600–650 mm. There are mineral springs in Sofia and its environs. The cities of Sofia, Bankia, and Novi Isker and several other communities form a separate administrative unit covering an area of 1,038 sq km; Sofia proper covers an area of 168 sq km. Sofia is divided into seven districts and has a population of approximately 1 million (1975; 21,000 in 1880), more than one-tenth of the population of Bulgaria. The major causes of the increase in population have been a population influx from other cities and villages and the expansion of the city limits. Seven-tenths of the city’s work force is engaged in material production, including two-fifths in industry (172,000 persons in 1973). Administration.

Sofia is under republic jurisdiction and is the administrative center of Sofia District. The agency of state authority in Sofia is the City People’s Council, the members of which are elected for terms of 2% years by citizens 18 years and older. The City People’s Council elects the Executive Committee, which functions between council sessions. The city’s districts elect district people’s councils for terms of 2Vi years. History. Sofia arose under the name of Serdica in the first century AD . after the Roman conquest of the province of the Thra-cians and Serdians. Serdica was an important administrative and trade center of the Balkan possessions of first the Roman empire and later the Byzantine empire. It was destroyed by the Huns in 441–447 and restored under the emperor Justinian (reigned 527–565). In 809 it became part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom (681–1018) under the name of Sredets. From 1018 to 1194 it was under Byzantine rule; in 1078 the city rose against Byzantium.

The city was renamed Sofia in the late 14th century, after the Church of St. Sofia, built in the fifth and sixth centuries. The city was captured by the Turks in 1382 and became the residence of the Rumelian beglerbeg (governor). From the 16th through 18th centuries, Sofia was, after Constantinople, the largest trade, artisan, and cultural center of the Balkan Peninsula. Sofia was one of the major centers of the national liberation movement of the Bulgarian people in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During the Russo-Turkish war of 1877–78, the Russian army liberated the city from the Turkish yoke on Dec. 23, 1877 (Jan. 4, 1878). In 1879, Sofia became the capital of Bulgaria. From 1905 to 1907 Bulgarian workers and students, encouraged by the revolution in Russia, held massive demonstrations in the city.

In February 1915 an all-Balkan antiwar meeting was organized by the Bulgarian Workers’ Social Democratic Party (Narrow Socialists) in Sofia. The city was also the site of the First Congress of the Bulgarian Communist Party, held from May 25 to May 27, 1919. During World War II (1939–45), Sofia was the center of the armed antifascist struggle of the Bulgarian people. The working people of Sofia played a prominent role in the September People’s Armed Uprising of 1944. The first people’s democratic Fatherland Front government was formed in Sofia on Sept. 9,1944, and Bulgaria was proclaimed a people’s republic on Sept. 15, 1946. Economy. As Bulgaria’s chief industrial center, Sofia accounts for approximately 15 percent of the total national industrial output. The Sofia industrial center is the main part of the large Sofia-Pernik industrial region, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the national industrial output. Industrial activity in Sofia is dominated by heavy industry, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of Sofia’s industrial output. Metallurgy is prominent.

The Kremik Ferrous Metallurgical Combine, a combine for rolling nonferrous metals, and other enterprises account for one-fifth of the city’s industrial output. Machine building accounts for one-fourth of the city’s industrial output; the major products are instruments, computer equipment, hoisting and transportation equipment, and machine tools. The chemical industry is also important and, together with the rubber industry, accounts for one-tenth of the city’s industrial output. Sofia also has enterprises of the textile and food industries. Most of Bulgaria’s printing presses are located in the city. A gas pipeline has been laid from the Soviet Union to Sofia. Most of Sofia’s industrial enterprises are located in the city’s northern and eastern districts, adjacent to the main transportation zone. The central part of the city, which features main trade, administrative, and cultural institutions, has expansive parks, gardens, and boulevards. Sofia is a major junction of railroad lines, main highways, and air routes. Construction was begun in 1976 on the Khemus Highway, from Sofia to Varna, and the Trakiia Highway, from Sofia to Burgas.

Sofia is also located on the international Budapest-Belgrade-Sofia-Istanbul railroad and highway lines. Plans are under way for the construction of a subway system. The environs of Sofia, including Vitosha, Isker Gorge, and the Isker and Pancharevo reservoirs, serve as recreation areas for the residents and as tourist centers. Architecture and city planning. City planning was instituted in Sofia between 1888 and 1893; the center has a radial-ring plan and the periphery has a rectangular plan. Remains of ancient Roman structures have been preserved. The most important monument of medieval architecture is the Church of St. Sofia, built in the fifth and sixth centuries. Many buildings constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries are in the eclectic style. Several structures, however, reveal a trend toward development of national architectural traditions, for example, the Mineral Baths (1907–10, architect P. Momchilov). The city also has monuments commemorating Bulgaria’s liberation from the Turkish yoke. Urban development has been especially intensive since 1944.

A 20-year general plan for reconstruction and urban development was adopted in 1961. Modern architecture in central Sofia includes an ensemble of squares surrounding the G. Dimitrov Mausoleum (1949, architects G. Ovcharov and R. Ribarov), as well as the Universiada Sport Complex (1961, architect A. Barov). Sofia has a monument to the Soviet Army (bronze and stone, 1954, architects D. Mitov and L. Neikov, sculptors I. Funev and others). Educational, scientific, and cultural institutions. Sofia has several notable institutes of higher learning, including the Kliment Okhridski University of Sofia and the Bulgarian State Conservatory. It also has schools of electrical engineering, economics, chemical engineering, mining and geology, agriculture, physical education, the fine arts, and the theatrical arts. The seat of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia has 117 scientific research institutes and ten centers for scientific study and the training of specialists.

The city’s major libraries are the Central Library of the Academy of Sciences, the Cyril and Methodius National Library, and the library of the University of Sofia. The principal museums are the National Art Gallery, which has a collection of Bulgarian, Western European, and Russian art, the National Archaeological Museum, the National Museum of the Revolutionary Movement in Bulgaria, the National Ethnographic Museum, the National Museum of Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship, the Museum of Sofia’s History, the G. Dimitrov National Museum, and the house-museums of D. Blagoev, I. Vazov, V. Kolarov, A. Stamboliiski, and N. Vaptsarov. Notable theaters in Sofia include the Sofia National Opera, the I. Vazov People’s Theater, the S. Makedonski Musical Theater, the dramatic theater Sleza i Smekh, the Theater of the People’s Army, the Satirical Theater, the People’s Theater, and the Central Puppet Theater. Sofia also has a philharmonic orchestra. REFERENCES What is the Capital of Bulgaria? - Capital-of.com Dates of religious and Civil holidays around the world.

Capital of Bulgaria The Capital City of Bulgaria (officially named Republic of Bulgaria) is the city of Sofia. The population of Sofia in the year 2007 was 1,344,605. Bulgaria is a Bulgarian speaking country on the coasts of the Black Sea. Additional Information Sofia - Capital of Bulgaria (Main Gallery) Photo Gallery by Nikola Gruev at pbase.com :: Maria Louisa - The public place for swimming and sun bathing :: :: Concert hall "Bulgaria" :: :: New Year's Concert in the National Palace of Culture - 01-Jan-2006 :: :: Boris Nedialkov (violoncello) - Concert hall 8 / Natioanal Palace of Culture (NDK) :: :: City Center Sofia :: :: Sofia Tower / Mall Sofia / IMAX :: :: Sky City Mall :: :: The park around NDK (National Palace of Culture) :: :: Sofia at night :: Sofia - the Capital of Bulgaria | My Destination Bulgaria Sofia - the Capital of Bulgaria What are you looking for? - Discover Bulgaria - Photos Sofia - the Capital of Bulgaria Sofia is a city of many colours.

Green in the summer and the spring, white in the winter, and all sorts of red, brown and yellow in the autumn, it always offers something new, refreshing and unexpected to its visitors and keeps them entertained throughout the whole year. Its rich political, cultural and religious past is reflected through its monuments, buildings, museums, galleries, theatres, and temples. The big boulevards, the small alleys, the restaurants , the cafes, and the bars speak for its present. Its parks, mineral springs and Mount Vitosha demonstrate its natural grandeur. All this makes Sofia a must-visit destination and also the perfect place to start your tours around Bulgaria from. So hop on board and join this tour around the biggest city in the country… and remember: no matter how you feel or what the weather is like, you will always find something fun to do there. St. Alexander Nevski Square is where the tour should begin. This is where you will find one of the most imposing buildings in Bulgaria – Alexander Nevski Cathedral . Its golden domes attract the sunrays and charge your batteries with positive energy. St. Sofia Church , a small red-brick basilica, is right next to it.

The neo-Renaissance-style National Assembly Hall, the rector’s building of the Sofia University and the National Library complete the list of attractive buildings in this region. If you feel like having a refreshing drink or salad, sit in one of the cafes or restaurants across from the Russian Church on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. There, together with your coke, you will get the greatest views of the impressive Orthodox Christian temple. Oh, it’s almost noon! If you hurry up you will get to the Presidency on time to see the change of guards. It starts at 12 o’clock sharp. The Church of St. George , the oldest building in the city, lies in the inner yard of the Presidency. Get more information about it in the Archaeological Museum right across the street. By now you are either thinking: "Oh, this sightseeing thing is getting kind of boring", or: "Wow, this place is full of amazing architectural and historical monuments"! I want to learn more about its history and culture! The former kind of thinking will guide you directly to Vitosha Blvd. - one of Sofia’s most popular shopping streets.

It is also a pedestrian zone so you will be able to forget about traffic for a while.The latter, on the other hand, will get you straight to the most popular museums and art galleries of the country’s capital or to Slaveykov Square, Sofia’s open-air book market. Let’s go back to Vitosha Blvd. now. From here you have two options, again. If you go south you will get to the National Palace of Culture. Alexander Nevski Church may be imposing, but this building is colossal. It was constructed during the Communist regime in Bulgaria and its main purpose is to host different cultural events including concerts, exhibitions and fairs. Going north, you will reach Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd. where the soul of Sofia is hidden. On this spot Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism meet Judaism and Islam. Yes, that’s right! Each of these religions is represented by a temple and all four of them are situated on a territory of just a couple of hundred square metres. These are the Orthodox St. Nedelya Church, Banya Bashi Mosque , the Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph and the Sofia Synagogue .

Every single one of these temples demonstrates the peculiarities of its respective religion and provides rich account of the culture that created it. Next to them lies another important landmark – Sofia’s Central Baths . The water gushing from the taps outside the building is mineral. This is just one of the 40 mineral springs you will find on the territory of Sofia and the only one located in the city centre. The capital’s emblematic Central Market Hall lies near the Central Baths and just opposite Banya Bashi Mosque . Soon you will be able to marvel at yet another remarkable historical landmark in the neighborhood. Not long ago the remains of the ancient Roman town of Serdika were discovered in the region. They are now being explored and transformed into what will become the largest open-air museum in the capital city. According to plan it will sprawl over an area of 19 000 sq m and is expected to open for visitors by 2014. However, even before that everybody who is passing by the spot will be able to watch the development teams' progress and take a peek at the impressive stack of 2nd-century AD archaeological findings. It is time for a break.

Sofia’s got bucketloads of green parks with shady benches and venerable trees where one can find peace and calm. Borisova Gradina, the largest urban park in the country, is one such place. Yuzhen Park (South Park) is another. In addition to these two, there are also many other neat little gardens, such as Doktorska Gradina (Doctor’s Garden), the one behind the National Library, and the garden of Ivan Vazov National Theatre, that are just ideal for recuperation and quiet contemplation. But most importantly, Sofia’s got Vitosha Mountain . It is cool and inviting and provides shelter from the noise of the big city 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. Plus, it is perfect for picnics, hiking and mountain biking and is just 30 minutes away from the city centre. During the winter season it turns into the best spot for skiing and snowboarding in the area. Before you enter its pine forests, though, make sure you visit Boyana Church , the beautiful medieval Bulgarian church located at the foot of Vitosha. It is on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. Impressive, huh?

So what would the perfect ending to this tour be? Well, you can go see a play in one of the many theatres on Rakovski Blvd. or watch a ballet in the Sofia Opera House. Alternatively, you can just slip in a random music club and listen to some mellow jazz music. For dinner you can try some traditional Bulgarian dishes in one of Sofia’s most popular taverns. After that it is time to hit the bars on Shishman Street. Just order a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the warm urban idyll of the Bulgarian capital. And if you are a real party person and you don’t want to go to bed at 10 pm, then check out the capital’s night clubs and discotheques. They are top notch. Is Europe's most affordable capital worth the trip? FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Is Europe's most affordable capital worth the trip? The city is full of delightful surprises, from the yellow brick roads in its historic center to the partially exposed, 1,800-year-old Roman city that lies beneath. Post to Facebook Is Europe's most affordable capital worth the trip?

The city is full of delightful surprises, from the yellow brick roads in its historic center to the partially exposed, 1,800-year-old Roman city that lies beneath. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 18 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Is Europe's most affordable capital worth the trip? Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Published 10:22 p.m. ET Aug. 29, 2013 | Updated 5:07 p.m. ET Aug. 30, 2013 Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Sofia, Bulgaria, is Europe's most affordable capital for visitors, according to more than one 2013 travel index. But this little-known Balkan city offers plenty of other reasons to visit. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Human settlement in Sofia dates to the 5th century B.C., but modern Sofia is a relatively young city by European standards. It was declared capital of Bulgaria in 1879.

Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The city has abundant parkland and is surrounded by mountains, including 7,500-foot Mount Vitosha, a popular venue for hiking and skiing. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The past is layered -- literally -- in Sofia. Archaeological remains of the 3rd-century city of Serdica are visible in the city's center. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The remains of a Roman coliseum were discovered in 2004 during the construction of a downtown hotel. The design of Arena di Serdica Hotel incorporates parts of the original 3rd-century amphitheater. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The Arena di Serdica's spa is set against the coliseum's original stone walls. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Saint Sofia Church, built in the 6th century, is the city's second oldest church. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Graves dating from 2 B.C. to the 5th century have been uncovered under Saint Sofia Church. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A museum opened earlier this year amid the underground tombs at Saint Sofia Church. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Sofia's primary architectural symbol.

Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Named for a Russian saint, the orthodox cathedral was completed in 1912. It honors those killed in the 1878-79 war that ended 500 years of Ottoman rule. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY An interior view of the cathedral, which can accommodate 10,000 people. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Sofia's public mineral baths have been closed for 25 years. But plans are underway to convert the elegant Byzantine building into a museum. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The city supports a lively arts scene from theater to opera to jazz. The Ivan Vazov National Theater is shown here. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The Bulgarian National Assembly building has been the target of persistent protests calling for new governmental leadership. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The former residence of Bulgaria's Communist party leader now houses the National Museum of History. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY An elaborate gravesite in Sofia's municipal cemetery enshrines the likeness -- and likes -- of the departed. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A pedestrian-only section of Vitosha Boulevard sports high-end international stores and outdoor cafes.

Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Visitors and locals fill their water bottles at Sofia's historic municipal bathhouse. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The changing of the guard at Bulgarian president's office. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The rooftop bar at Sense Hotel, Sofia's first design-driven boutique hotel, has excellent city views. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A youthful crowd gathers on Saturday night for Bulgarian folk dancing. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Chalga, also known as pop-folk, draws a young, affluent crowd at late-night clubs in Sofia. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY An artist paints a street scene in downtown Sofia. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Religious iconography is for sale in stalls outside Sofia's cathedral. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Couples dance the tango in a park in downtown Sofia. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Nearby, players ponder a chess move. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Buskers perform in Sofia's new and efficient metro. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The Ladies' Market has sellers hawking everything from fresh vegetables to clothing. It's in one of Sofia's oldest neighborhoods. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A vendor sells curbside at the Ladies' Market.

Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Julia Asenova and her granddaughter, Radoslava Traghova, celebrate the girl's 10th birthday in Sofia's ethnic Roma quarter. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A horse-drawn cart on the streets of the Roma quarter. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Protesters calling for the ouster of the current Socialist-backed government demonstrate in Sofia in July. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY The mostly peaceful protests have attracted a broad cross section of residents. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY A soccer team joins in the anti-government protests in July. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Police stand behind a barricade in Sofia during the July protests. Jayne Clark, USA TODAY Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Sofia's primary architectural symbol. (Photo: Jayne Clark, USA TODAY) SOFIA, Bulgaria -- In Europe's most affordable capital, a night in a four-star hotel goes for less than $100. The dinner tab for two with a bottle of house wine runs about $40. And cab fare costs less than $1 a mile.

The city ranks tops on several travel affordability indexes, including TripAdvisor's TripIndex Cities 2013, which tallied daily expenses at $158.42. That's 73% cheaper than in Oslo, the priciest destination, where the per diem came to $581. But low cost is only one reason to visit this little-known -- to Americans, anyway -- Balkan capital. The city is full of delightful surprises, from the yellow brick roads in its historic center to the partially exposed, 1,800-year-old Roman city that lies beneath. You can enjoy a 60-minute Bulgarian rose massage in the ruins of a 3rd-century coliseum for about $55, or take in an outdoor opera performance for less than $10. There's hiking and skiing on 7,500-foot Vitosha Mountain, the highest of the peaks surrounding the capital. Within the city are dozens of lovely parks, where on any given day you might happen across tango dancers perfecting their moves or old men contemplating a chess board. I visited in July when hotel rates are rock-bottom, thanks to the dearth of business travelers.

(A prepaid Internet booking at the five-star Grand Hotel Sofia came to $116, with tax.) But because language can be a challenge -- many places are signed only in Cyrillic -- I link up with Lyuba Boyanin of Lyuba Tours. The former engineer, who, like many Bulgarians, was compelled to seek an alternate livelihood after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, has an encyclopedic knowledge of Sofia and beyond. It's a Friday evening and a torrent of residents, some of them swathed in green, red and white Bulgarian flags, are streaming toward the parliament building. Calls for the Socialist-backed government to step down began in June and residents had been convening daily to peacefully, but loudly, protest. The diversity of the crowd -- parents balancing tots on their shoulders, old people hobbling on canes and uniformed soccer teams carrying banners -- lends a convivial atmosphere to the demonstrations. "Bulgarians are the last people to protest," Boyanin says. "When it gets to this, it means they've had enough." Even away from the protests, Sofia exudes a spirited energy.

And with a number of low-fare carriers now flying here, it's attracting more European visitors, particularly students. "It's becoming more of a trendy place," says Thomas Higgins, an American businessman who has lived in Sofia for 20 years. "It's a nice destination for people looking for adventure out of the mainstream. There are a lot of new things to be explored." On one of two daily Free Sofia Tours, the mostly twenty- and thirtysomething participants hail from a dozen countries. The tours, led by English-speaking students, take in the compact downtown's major sites. We walk along the twice-baked clay cobblestones that give the streets their yellow hue and peer into unearthed remnants of the Roman city of Serdica, circa 300 A.D. (Emperor Constantine called the city "my Rome.") More ruins are visible in the city's new and efficient subway system. (Photo: Jayne Clark, USA TODAY) An excellent new museum beneath the 6th-century Church of Saint Sofia showcases tombs dating from 2 B.C. to the 5th century that were discovered by workers repairing pipes.

And a decade ago during excavation for a new hotel, an amphitheater only slightly smaller than Rome's coliseum, was discovered. Hotel construction continued, though plans were modified to incorporate parts of the ancient arena where gladiators once faced off against wild beasts. Today, guests at the Arena di Serdica Hotel get gentler treatment in the hotel's spa that abuts the arena's stone walls. But the city's most striking architectural landmark is the magnificent Alexander Nefsky Cathedral. Boyanin and I arrive at the end of Sunday services to the sound of Gregorian chants performed by Orthodox priests. Its cavernous fresco-adorned interior can accommodate 10,000 worshippers and the 12 bells in its tower are still rung by hand. Like many of Sofia's most significant structures, the cathedral, completed in 1912, is young by European standards. Despite its centuries-old roots, Sofia didn't become a capital until 1879, a year after the Russians liberated the country from 500 years of Ottoman rule. The oldest buildings, a mix of stately Viennese, neo-Renaissance and other grand styles, date to the late 1800s.

Unattractive prefabricated apartment blocks from the post World War II Soviet era rise from the city's farther reaches. The city supports a lively arts scene. Rakovski Street, Sofia's Broadway, is lined with theaters. Jazz is huge. So are dance clubs, where a mix of Serbian and Turkish pop/rap called chalga -- and widely disdained by the intelligentsia -- attracts young nouveau riche. On a Saturday night, the scene is just revving up when Boyanin and I pop into Sin City, one of Sofia's cavernous nightclubs featuring late-night chalga performances. Dancers showing lots of skin gyrate on backlit platforms. The clientele lounges at tables with bottle service. The scene is in sharp contrast to a prior stop at an unassuming bar, where youthful patrons were polishing their Bulgarian folkdance moves. Earlier, we'd dined at Pod Lipite, a popular eatery that serves specialties like wild boar with plums. and nettles with cheese. Bulgarian meals invariably start with shopska salad -- tomatoes and cucumbers topped with grated feta cheese. The pace is leisurely.

It can be hours before people get around to ordering a main course, Boyanin notes. "When the first McDonald's opened in 1994, people would stay for hours," she says. "Finally, they put up a sign, 'Buy. Eat. Go.' and imposed a one-hour time limit." Pedestrian-only Vitosha Boulevard is lined with outdoor cafes and international brands., though residents seem to favor the growing number of enclosed shopping malls. But several streets, such as Angel Kanchev, harbor small shops owned by young designers crafting one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry and more. It's a far cry from what expat Paromita Sanatani found when she arrived here in 1992. "It was sad, gray and run down," recalls Sanatani, who married a Bulgarian and publishes the visitors guide, Sofia in Your Pocket. In those early post-Soviet days, shops carried a mashup of random items. "There was no such thing as a specialized shop. People just sold what they had," she says. The Soviets developed Black Sea and ski tourism in Bulgaria in the 1970s as a means of attracting foreign currency.

But beyond the bargain-basement sun-and-sea packages marketed to Europeans, tourism in Bulgaria as a whole, and Sofia in particular, is in its infancy. That's changed, though. Sofia is vying to be the 2019 European Capital of Culture. And direct air service may begin next year from Chicago. "Sofia is safe. It's manageable. It has tranquility to it," says Higgins. "And, it's affordable." Bang for the buck Four-star hotel for two: $96.29 Two cocktails: $16.91 Two-course dinner for two with wine: $40.44 4-mile cab ride: $4.78 Source: TripAdvisor If you go ... • Getting there: In addition to major international airlines, a number of low-fare carriers fly to Sofia from within Europe. Among them: Easyjet , Air Berlin and Wizz Air . • Where to stay: Sofia lodging rates are generally lower in summer due to a drop in business travel. You can also get lower rates at some hotels by pre-paying online directly with the hotel. • Grand Hotel Sofia , a full-service business hotel, has spacious rooms starting at about $145, double.

Rates at the chic new 71-room Sense Hotel start at about $150. The 25-room Hotel Arte has rooms from $66 in summer; $80 high season. Arena di Serdica, whose lobby and spa incorporate parts of a 3rd-century coliseum, has rooms starting at about $125, double. • Seeing the sights: A number of free, regularly updated guides are available. A good one: Sofia in Your Pocket , is available at hotels and other tourist venues. • The Free Sofia Tour is a twice-daily free walking tour of the heart of downtown led by volunteer English-speaking guides. • For a more in-depth experience, Lyuba Tours offers a variety of three-hour architectural and historic outings for about $13; $6, students. 6327 CONNECT TWEET 42 LINKEDIN 18 COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: NEVER MISS OUT Travel Make your next trip unforgettable. Get travel tips, trends and inspiration to help you make the most of your travels, Monday-Friday.

Sofia 2017: Best of Sofia, Bulgaria Tourism - TripAdvisor Things to Do More Surrounded by sprawling parkland, Sofia, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Bulgaria, lies at the foot of popular ski mountain, Vitosha. With a history that stretches over seven millennia, ruin-rich Sofia is one of Europe's oldest cities. The National Historical Museum is one of Eastern Europe's most extensive. Wide, cobblestone boulevards, charming boutiques and truly electrifying nightlife star in this city of 1.3 million. Trolleys, trams and buses traverse the dynamic city. Read more Read less

Question: What is the capital of Bulgaria
Answer: Sofia